Eliot Richards took his chance to impress manager John Ward by claiming an equalising goal as Bristol Rovers recovered from the worst possible start to grab a hard-earned point at Morecambe this afternoon.

Morecambe striker Jack Redshaw has played the role of tormentor-in-chief throughout the opening period after taking advantage of time and space on the edge of the penalty area to rifle a low shot past goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall to open the scoring inside two minutes.

The former Manchester City trainee was then unlucky not to end the first-half with a hat-trick after goal-denying clearances on the line by Tom Parkes and John-Joe O'Toole as well as a fine save from Mildenhall prevented Redshaw from claiming further goals.

Rovers, who were forced into a change in personnel and formation due to injuries to key players, did eventually begin to recover from a lethargic start – but had to wait until the 48th minute for an equaliser off the head of Eliot Richards.

Ward witnessed a marked improvement in performance from his side throughout the second-half and will probably feel a bit hard done by not to have seen his players win the game after one-on-one chances went begging for Richards and strike partner Tom Hitchcock.

That Rovers managed to create those chances, however, was in stark contrast to an opening period when a low shot from Richards, which was claimed comfortably by goalkeeper Barry Roche, and wayward efforts from O'Toole and Joe Anyinsah were the closest they came to carving out an equaliser to Reshaw's opening gambit.

Tom Hitchcock, meanwhile, had been offered a rare start in attack after injury ruled Ryan Brunt (knee), Fabian Broghammer (hamstring) and David Clarkson (ankle) out – but it was strike partner Richards who restored parity inside three minutes of the restart.

Finding a yard of space inside the penalty area, Richards managed to angle a header past Roche from close-range following an inviting cross into the danger area off the boot of Lee Brown.

The goal signalled the start of better things to come from Rovers during the second-half and Ward was unlucky not to see his side take the lead when Hitchcock's attempt to convert after going clear through on goal was denied by a desperate Nick Fenton tackle to make amends for the cheap way he conceded possession in the centre circle to allow the opportunity in the first place.

Morecambe were rocked on their heels and looked only a shadow of the side they had been in the opening period – although Mildenhall still had to be alert to repel a Ryan Williams effort from distance before a post came to Rovers' rescue when Lewis Alessandra looked certain to score with a powerful header.

Ward probably knew that he would have to settle for what was a hard-earned point when Roche made a good save to come out on top in a one-on-one duel with Richards ten minutes from time that was the last real chance of the afternoon for either side.

27 comments

No Stan or Frank always delightful lighthearted comments , and now we have a pair of prized Plums in Iaintgotaworkingbrain , BS15assol you Blues should be really proud of having such people posting under your banner.

Poor old Marksy !! Morecombe is nowhere near Fishponds.. my family lived in Fishponds for 47 years and no-one there had ever heard of Morecombe... meanwhile I suggest you all ponder on the Bradford supporters reaction to today'a result.... fantastic sportsmanship.. let's have something similar down here please....
Ancient Pirate

I wrote, if anyone can read, "in the scheme of things...", meaning that a point away from home to a team near the top of the table and who have an excellent home record, is actually better than a home win against a team near the bottom. It matters not though overall. City will probably get relegated. And we will probably have another season of mi-table obscurity. Not much to be proud of for either team actually. It's like 2 bald men fighting over a comb.
I can understand how sa it is to be taking about us getting apoint at Morecombe, but doesn't matter where Morecombe were 15 years ago. they are in Lge 2, just like us, and we both deserve to be there. They deseve it because they faught their way through non-league, and we deserve it because of mistakes made in the past. We could also talk about where Swansea were 12 years ago, and where Bradford were. They have quite literally swapped places
Bigbumble - shame you never went through puberty. Must have been that confused sexual complex you had.

happy with the point .they should have scored a few in the first half saying that we should have scored another two in the second half 3-3 should have been the final score .the gas will be staying up and the new stadium will be confirmed as a done deal on wednesday . i can also confirm mr landsdowns 82,ers will be relegated and ashton vale ain t going to happen so its a ground share at trashton with the rugby club ..choke on he you inbred *****s ...up the gas !

It was only a simple (civil) question , "how can 1 be better than 3" so what's with all the down arrows , yet not one of you can give a good reason how " 1 is better than 3 ".
**** I even gave you credit that 1 point was in fact a good point, against the inform team.

Marksy.
As you don't seem to know where Morecombe is I was about to suggest you look at a map.
But then I remembered your predilection for self- abuse and realise a map wold not be of much use, even with a magnifying glass!.